Letter: Unethical cut

Sir: Dr A Majid Katme of Islamic Concern is asking the Department of Health to perform Muslim religious markings on children's bodies. (letter, 23 September).

To inflict non-therapeutic circumcision on a normal, unconsenting child is unacceptable. The practice infringes a child's right to physical integrity guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The convention states that infringement of this right cannot be justified on grounds of religion, culture or tradition.

Doctors have an ethical duty to refuse to perform circumcisions on children except where there is a genuine therapeutic need. It is extremely rare for there to be any genuine indication for the procedure.

JOHN D DALTON

Frizington, Cumbria